Shawn McEachern: Tough To Win A Series If Your Top Players Aren't Feeling It
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – If the Penguins want to overcome the 3-1 deficit they now face in their first round series against the Rangers, they might want to ask Shawn McEachern for some advice.
McEachern knows what it's like to fight back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. In fact, he knows what it's like to do it twice, having played for both of the Pens teams that were able to win a series after trailing it 3-1 - the 1992 and 1995 squads.
Both pulled off the feat against the Capitals, and the 1992 team went on to win the Stanley Cup.
McEachern joined "The Fan Morning Show" Friday to talk about the feat and what it takes to make it happen.
McEachern explained that his teams stayed confident even when facing adversity.
"I think there was always a quiet confidence in that Pittsburgh locker room," McEachern said. "That roster that Craig Patrick put together was amazing."
McEachern said that the grind of the playoffs makes it difficult to maintain that confidence and not become overwhelmed by the big picture.
"I think it helps to have guys like Mario [Lemieux] and Kevin Stevens, Rick Tocchet, Larry Murphy," McEachern said. "We had so many great players on the team back then that I think it was easy to get it going for those guys. We had a pretty confident group. At the end of the day I think it's all about the mindset, and these seven games series in the playoffs, they're real tough on guys mentally, and I think it's where you're at mentally. It's easy to say that it's the next game that only matters, but when you're in the middle of it, you start thinking about being down 3-1, or up 3-1, and that's what can really get you in trouble."
McEachern thinks it'll be tough for the Pens to win this series if their stars aren't leading the charge.
"They've got a great team," McEachern said. "You know, Crosby and Malkin, two of the best players in the world. It's tough it you can't get your offense going. I think once the Rangers get in your heads a little bit scoring goals, and your top players aren't feeling it, it's tough to win a series."
The interview can be heard here: